cite
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
-
to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), especially as an authority.
He cited the Constitution in his defense.
-
to mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.
He cited many instances of abuse of power.
-
to summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court.
-
to call to mind; recall.
citing my gratitude to him.
-
Military. to mention (a soldier, unit, etc.) in orders, as for gallantry.
-
to commend, as for outstanding service, hard work, or devotion to duty.
-
to summon or call; rouse to action.
verb
-
to quote or refer to (a passage, book, or author) in substantiation as an authority, proof, or example
-
to mention or commend (a soldier, etc) for outstanding bravery or meritorious action
-
to summon to appear before a court of law
-
to enumerate
he cited the king's virtues
Other Word Forms
- citable adjective
- citeable adjective
- citer noun
- noncitable adjective
- nonciteable adjective
- uncitable adjective
- unciteable adjective
- uncited adjective
Etymology
Origin of cite1
An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; by shortening
Origin of cite1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin citāre “to hurry, set in motion, summon before a court,” frequentative of ciēre “to move, set in motion”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some cited a lack of trust that the neighbouring country would respect the truce, after previous ones had been broken.
From Barron's
A military-run census last year admitted it could not collect data from an estimated 19 million of the country's 50 million-odd inhabitants, citing "security constraints".
From Barron's
That final valuation is estimated to be around £800m, according to the Financial Times, citing unnamed officials.
From BBC
Another editor in chief might have held back the story for all the editorial reasons Ms. Weiss has cited.
Some Nigerians welcomed U.S. intervention, citing their own government’s failure to make headway against terrorism and banditry since the kidnapping of the Chibok girls more than a decade ago.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
